NOTE: PEWTER PRODUCT PRICING
Our pewter products have suffered some price increases due to the tariff increases and uncertainties currently in place. We adjust our pricing as our costs fluctuate, and we will decrease prices when and if these tariff levels are resolved.
The Spanish milled dollar—widely known as the “Piece of Eight”—was one of the most commonly circulated coins in colonial America. Struck from New World silver in mints across Mexico, Peru, and Bolivia, these coins were transported by Spanish galleons through dangerous waters threatened by pirates, hurricanes, and treacherous seas.
Valued for their silver content, these coins featured distinctive milled edges to prevent shaving or clipping. Their reliability made them a cornerstone of commerce, and they remained legal tender in the United States until 1857.
The term “Piece of Eight” comes from the common practice of cutting the coin into smaller segments, or “bits,” to make change. This system gave rise to familiar expressions like “two bits,” meaning a quarter of a dollar.
Our Pieces of Eight coin set is cast in our Vermont workshop from lead-free pewter, carefully designed to represent the look and feel of original colonial currency. This hands-on set demonstrates how early American money was divided and used in everyday transactions.
Each set includes:
One complete Spanish milled dollar
Eight individual “bits”
Four quarter sections
Two half sections
Packaged in a poly bag with a history insert card, or in a leather pouch with history insert card..
WARNING CHOKING HAZARD SMALL PARTS Not for children under 3. Recommended for adults and children aged 8 years and above.